Stumbling My Way Into Adulthood…

I Thought I Knew What Made Me Happy | Life Update

This is my third week at my new job and I’ve never had so many people tell me how perfect I fit in. In fact, I have denied it every time someone has suggested that I might have found my calling. From my friends, to my co-workers, and even my own parents- everyone seems to feel that I am meant to be a elementary school teacher. I truly didn’t want to believe it. I just didn’t. Honestly, I think it’s because I viewed teaching as one of those “last resort”, dead-end occupations.

I have always loved teaching. Since I was a kid, I loved to learn things and teach them to people. I have taught Japanese numerous times in my life, since I learned the language as a child. I’ve always loved to make worksheets and presentations. I also liked to teach people the crafting skills that I knew. Even in my college classes, my favorite types of projects are the ones that require me to actually teach a lesson. Honestly, that’s part of why I love this blog. I enjoy passion on lessons to other people. So, like I said, I did know that teaching was my thing- I just never saw myself working in public schools and I’m still terrified at the idea of it being my future.

I hear the most complaints from teachers. About how they’re underpaid, underappreciated, and over-worked. And they’re not wrong. I don’t think teachers are compensated nearly enough for their efforts. That’s why I view it as such an awful job to end up with, right along with flipping patties at McDonald’s. And perhaps this doesn’t mean that I will end up teaching in public schools, but that I’ll end up teaching something somewhere else.

It’s just interesting because I didn’t really see myself becoming a teacher. It is something I love, but I didn’t view it as a feasible career option. Now, I’m really having second thoughts. This job is the first job I’ve ever had where I don’t wake up miserable about having to go in. In fact, I look forward to work every single day. I feel fulfilled, useful, and optimistic each and every day that I walk into work- to the point where every day just flies by. I’ve never felt like this about a job before, not even when I got my dream job.

Now, my question is this; what am I supposed to do now that I’ve had this revelation?